Established about 1912, J. E. Martin Tool & Die Works manufactured Gem drill press vises, found advertised 1924 to 1949. In 1949 the company name was J. E. Martin Machine Works Also reported are J. E. Martin Machine Co. and J. E. Martin Tool & Die Co..During the 1970s the business was acquired by Blair Manufacturing Co. which manufactured the vises under that name until about 1981 when the business was wound down.
Information Sources
- Machinery, Vol. 30, No. 12, Aug. 1924, Pg. 224
- Modern Machine Shop, Vol. 10, No. 1, June 1937, Pg. 224
- From a Garage Journal post by Bowhit, a former employee of J. E. Martin Tool & Die.
I left in 1979. The company didn't last too long after that. The company closed up a couple years later. I have the # 1, 4, 5, and 8.
J. E. Martin Machine works started in 1912 By John E. Martin. It was handed down to his son (first name unknown to me). The next owner was W. Martin ( the sons widow). Sold in 1969 to John Turner with the parent company of Springfield Impregnators. The next owner was Blair Mfg. until they closed.
I started out as a laborer (part time) with my father in 1968. When I left in 1979 I was the shop foreman.